Kevin Burns vs. Anthony Johnson II at The Ultimate Fighter 8 Finale

http://mmajunkie.comAfter their first fight ended in controversy, Kevin Burns (7-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC) and Anthony Johnson (5-2 MMA, 2-2 UFC) will meet again in December at the live finale for “The Ultimate Fighter: Team Nogueira vs. Team Mir.”

Sources close to both fighters today told MMAjunkie.com that the two competitors have agreed to the fight and that it will be finalized in the coming days.

The Ultimate Fighter 8 Finale takes place Dec. 13, though a location has been not announced.

During their original meeting at a July 19 UFC Fight Night event, referee Steve Mazzagatti repeatedly warned Burns about eye pokes, and a final third-round poke to the eye crumpled Johnson to the mat. Mazzagatti did not initially see the illegal strike, and Burns was awarded the TKO victory.

With no guidelines allowing the Nevada State Athletic Commission to overturn the decision, the outcome was upheld — much to the dismay of many fans.

Burns was suffering from a hand injury during the fight, and he couldn’t make a closed fist because a primary bone wouldn’t fuse. Despite getting the victory, Burns recently told MMAjunkie.com that — like Johnson — he wanted the rematch.

“I know there’s been talks of [a rematch],” Burns said. “I’m definitely wanting that to happen. I think the fans deserve that. It’s kind of crappy how it ended. I want to do the right thing and make it right.”

Burns made his UFC debut earlier this year after posting a 6-0 record in a variety of Midwest-based organizations. He then defeated Roan Carneiro via submission at UFC 85, and he returned a month later for the fight with Johnson. All eight of his victories have come via stoppage.

Johnson, meanwhile, entered the UFC after just three wins in three professional fights. He proceeded to knockout Chad Reiner in 13 seconds at UFC Fight Night 10 before suffering a second-round submission loss to Rich Clementi at UFC 76. Next, facing “The Ultimate Fighter 6″ runner-up Tommy Speer, Johnson needed just 51 seconds for the knockout victory.